Tragedy has struck in Plateau State, where at least 38 miners have lost their lives following a deadly carbon monoxide incident at an underground mining site in Zurak, located in Wase Local Government Area.
The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Tuesday while the miners were carrying out routine operations deep inside the mining tunnels. According to local sources, the victims, mostly young men between the ages of 20 and 35, were suddenly exposed to toxic carbon monoxide gas that filled the underground shafts.
Eyewitnesses say the miners began collapsing one after another as the invisible gas spread rapidly through the tunnels, leaving many unable to escape.
Local traditional leader, Aliyu Adamu Idris, confirmed that 38 miners were killed, while at least 27 others sustained injuries and were rushed to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment.
A miner working at a nearby site, Ibrahim Dattijo Sani, described the terrifying moment. He said the victims were underground when the gas incident occurred between about 7:30 and 8:00 in the morning.
According to him, fellow miners and community members made desperate rescue attempts, but many of the victims could not be saved.
Security sources later revealed in a confidential report that the deaths were caused by carbon monoxide poisoning, a highly dangerous gas that is colourless, odourless, and deadly when inhaled in large quantities.
The Plateau State Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, confirmed the incident but said authorities were still verifying the full extent of the casualties. Police have since secured the mining site to prevent further exposure and to allow investigators determine the exact cause of the gas release.
Health and safety experts warn that underground mining carries serious risks, including exposure to toxic gases such as carbon monoxide, which can accumulate due to poor ventilation, fires or underground explosions.
This latest tragedy has once again raised concerns over safety standards in informal mining operations across the region.
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